Hatred   Rabbi Reuben Mann - Dean, Masoret Institute The notion that we are obliged to love a wicked person is contrary to Torah which demands that we do Judge, and in the appropriate situation, hate evil people. An illustration is provided by the Rambam in his Mishne Torah (Code Of Jewish Law) Laws of Mourning Ch. 1 law 10. He lists certain categories of evildoers: those who cast off the yoke of the commandments, those who deny the fundamental foundations of Torah eg. the existence of G-d and Divine Revelation, those who turn against the Jewish people etc. and says {when these people die} "... we do not mourn for them but their close relatives (ie. those who normally would sit shiva) dress up in their finest clothes and eat drink and rejoice for the enemies of G-d have perished. And concerning them Scripture says (Psalms 139:21) "Indeed those who hate you Hashem do I hate".   Judaism maintains that the ultimate value is the love of G-d insofar as man can attain it. All of our energies must be directed toward this goal as it says "And you shall love the Lord your G-d with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength". True love carries with it the obligation to hate that which is antithetical to the ultimate good. Saul lost the kingship because of his failure to totally eradicate the nation of Amalek. The inability to hate the "enemies of G-d" (as defined by Torah) is a serious spiritual defect and an impediment to attaining a proper relationship with the Creator.